Olympic Torch to be paraded from Newry to Dublin next summer

The Olympic torch will be paraded around Dublin next June after a symbolic crossing of the border at Newry

The Olympic torch will make a cross border trip from Belfast to Dublin next year before it takes pride of place in London.

Olympic Council of Ireland boss Pat Hickey has confirmed to the Irish Times that the torch will be paraded around Dublin next June after a symbolic crossing of the border at Newry.

Some formalities for the torch tour have to be finalized but Hickey has reported ‘overwhelming’ support for the tour in Northern Ireland, Britain and the Republic.

“After it leaves Newry the torch will fast-forward down to Dublin where it will kick-off at our headquarters in Howth and then it will start really at the Garden of Remembrance,” Hickey told the paper.

An Olympic relay road show, made up of eight vehicles, will transport the torch from the border to the OCI offices in the north Dublin suburb of Howth.

Christ Church Cathedral and Dame Street.The route will then move from the Garden of Remembrance through O’Connell Street, Sheriff Street, Merrion Square, Baggott Street and Harold’s Cross before arriving at Trinity College via

Grafton Street, St Stephen’s Green and the Shelbourne Hotel will also welcome the flame before an official ceremony on Merrion Square.

A Northern Ireland torch run is also planned with stop-offs in Portrush, Derry, Newry and Belfast. This will be the first time the Olympic torch has been carried in Ireland and will be its only detour outside Britain ahead of the London games.

The Olympic torch will be paraded around Dublin next June after a symbolic crossing of the border at Newry